By: Gareth Watkin
Bonnie Stillwatter | bandcamp |
Released on March 9, 2015 via Temporary Residence
Across an incredibly extensive career, musician and song-writer Will Oldham has offered up an incredible array of releases under the moniker of Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, weaving together mystical elements pulled out of some belly that Oldham has access too. Oldham’s latest release sees himself teaming up with experimental rock group Watter, and Stillwater Artisanal (A brewery/art company based in Baltimore), all released under the new name of Bonnie Stillwatter. The new collaborative release features the incredible title track, as well as a remix from Ex-Tortoise member Bundy K. Brown, whose contribution to the release feels every bit as relevant and important as the title track itself.
The Devil Is People showcases once again Oldham’s fantastic ability to weave together musical elements and lyrics, backed up by phenomenal contributions by Watter who cement their importance on the recording with effortless ease. Whilst Oldham himself is at the forefront of the tracks, singing of mysterious forces with an almost ethereal yet accessible quality, the collaborative efforts between Oldham and Watter result in a record where every element and technique is as important as each other. It showcases a fine combination of talents and ideas between the respective artists including Brown’s remix, which acts almost like a secondary chapter to the journey as opposed to a simple reinterpretation.
Oldham and Watter’s collaborative release showcases an incredible passion in the creation of music, one where all those involved understand and buy into the concept being presented. Although the musical elements sometimes border the inaccessible, mostly in the incredibly dark and unsettling tone of the music itself, it is still an incredibly vital and important musical release, and one that highlights the respective talents of the artists at some of their best. Although there are only two tracks being released at this time, there’s enough here to understand the underlying concepts of what is being created, as well as its importance.
Oldham & Watter’s new collaborative effort comes across as one of the most interesting and engrossing releases from Oldham in recent years. The Devil Is People doesn’t overshadow any previous effort from the musicians, but instead elevates itself as a strong release on its own merits, joining alongside the many strong prior releases with comfortable ease. Each and every element injected into the tracks seem to just work, offering up a very dark and almost harrowing musical experience. It’s a very short listening experience at just roughly ten minutes, but it’s all you really need.
